May 10, 2022
Dear Members of the Boston College Community:
As we begin planning for the start of the 2022-2023 academic year, we write to provide an update about COVID-19 vaccination requirements for the coming year.
Vaccination/Booster Policy
Boston College will require all new undergraduate and graduate/professional students who plan to participate in activities on campus during the 2022-2023 fall semester be fully vaccinated and have their first booster (within six months of eligibility following the second dose of the original vaccination series) against COVID-19, and upload proof to University Health Services by August 15. Those students who will not be eligible for their first booster by August 15 should contact UHS to discuss the timetable for their booster (six months after last dose).
University Health Services and Human Resources will continue to assist international students and faculty who may have difficulty in meeting this vaccination requirement.
As is the current HR policy, all new faculty and staff who will be on campus are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted, and upload proof via the Agora portal prior to arriving at BC. Those not eligible for their first booster by their start date should contact Human Resources to discuss the timetable for their booster.
At this time and in planning for the 2022-2023 fall semester, the University strongly recommends that current and returning students, faculty, and staff obtain their successive boosters according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local Departments of Public Health guidance. Those with University-granted vaccination/booster exemptions will be required to follow masking and regular testing as outlined by UHS and Human Resources.
As a reminder, individuals are considered fully vaccinated (original series) two weeks after their second Moderna/Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination or two weeks after a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccination, and deemed booster-eligible after four months of initial Moderna/Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination and two months after a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccination.
For COVID-19 testing or vaccination/booster questions, students should contact University Health Services at covidtesting@bc.edu and faculty/staff may contact Human Resources at HR@bc.edu. New students seeking to request an exemption must fill out the COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Request Form, which can be found here. The deadline for submission is July 1, 2022. New faculty and staff requesting an exemption must contact the Office of Institutional Diversity/Human Resources.
Fall 2022 Quarantine and Isolation
The University will continue to follow the CDC and public health departments’ protocols concerning positive and close-contact cases. More information regarding plans for the fall will be forthcoming.
COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Clinics & Card Uploading Instructions
Boston College will continue to offer COVID-19 vaccination and booster clinics during the 2022-2023 academic year. The schedule will be communicated in advance, and posted on BC.EDU.
Students should upload COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards (initial vaccination series and all subsequent boosters) to the Agora Health Services Portal following the steps below:
Go to Agora Portal - Other Services - Health Services
- Select the IMMUNIZATION ICON on the Agora Health Services portal. Choose via the drop down menu the COVID vaccination booster icon, and record the vaccination booster date. Click SUBMIT to save;
- Take a picture of the vaccination card or document and save it on your computer or phone to upload into the Portal (https://services.bc.edu), found under OTHER SERVICES;
- Choose the UPLOAD ICON and upload the picture under the COVID vaccination booster in the drop-down menu (Note: the drop-down menu is below the list of "documents available to upload"). Click SELECT FILE, choose the file that you are uploading, and hit the UPLOAD button.
Faculty and staff should upload their Vaccination Record Cards (initial vaccination series and all subsequent boosters) via the Agora Portal:
- Click the "PeopleSoft Human Resources Services" link located in the "My Services" section;
- Confirm your identity through BC's 2-Step Verification process;
- To log in to PeopleSoft Human Resources while off campus, you will need to connect to a BC VPN and confirm your identity through BC's 2-Step Verification;
- From the “Main Menu” select “Self Service” then “Personal Information” and select “Update COVID-19 Record”;
- To upload your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, follow the instructions on the page and click “Save";
- If you have tested positive for COVID-19, please include your positive test date under the “COVID-19 Testing Record” tab;
- If you have any questions, please reach out to HR@bc.edu.
Symptom Vigilance & Daily Symptom Checker Reminder
We remind you to stay vigilant in recognizing possible COVID-19 symptoms. With Omicron and its sub-variants being the predominant strains of the virus, symptoms such as sore throat, fatigue, and headache—even if mild—can be indicators of the coronavirus. Students who are symptomatic should inform University Health Services (617-552-3225) immediately for further guidance. Faculty and staff should test at home and/or contact their primary care physician. Please continue to utilize the BC Daily Symptom Checker (the BC Check app) every day before coming to campus, as it is a vital asset in our community-wide effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The University’s vaccination/booster requirements are subject to change as we continue to monitor conditions related to the coronavirus and guidance set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local Departments of Public Health.
As we all continue to learn to live with COVID-19, the University will remain attentive and nimble in its approach. We thank you for your cooperation this past academic year, and we wish you the best as the semester winds down and as you depart campus after exams for your summer break. In particular, we thank, congratulate, and extend our best wishes to those graduating this May.
Sincerely,
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